New Kiss owner

[Capt Morgan]

I have just bought a second hand Kiss but won't have it
for a while so with this being my first rebreather I'd like to
get as much info about them as I can.
Can anyone recommend any links or books that would be
worth having a look at ? I'd also like to have a look at a
training manual and get recommendations for an instructor.
I have seen on another forum that other people have been
trained in the UK by an instructor not using a kiss although
the student has, thus apparently getting around the CE issue,
would this sound right ?

[Ken Hawk]

Try getting intouch with the mad vicar, DV will have contact details I bet.

[Soggy]

I did my Kiss training with Martin Robson about 6 years ago.

[Capt Morgan]

Try getting intouch with the mad vicar, DV will have contact details I bet.

I could give that a go Ken, his buddy is still diving a Kiss and
comes up our way during the summer so I could see him too.


I did my Kiss training with Martin Robson about 6 years ago.

Was that in the UK ?
I have no idea when the CE crack started, would it of been an issue when you trained ?

[Janos]

I did my MOD1 with Dave Thompson in the Red Sea. There's a report on t'other place and burgerworld and (I think) on CCRX somewhere. I would highly recommend Dave as he knows the unit inside out and is a lovely guy to boot.

I did my MOD2 in the UK with Richie Stevenson (who was on an Inspo) and MOD3 with Dave Cooper in Switzerland. I did Cave with MattMexico in Mexico, which I really enjoyed and again there's a report somewhere.

Get yourself on the KISS yahoo group - which is member only. On there, there's a great resource re: spares etc.

I would recommend doing a course with someone who has built up a lot of hours on the unit. Like all units, the KISS has various foibles (you can't clear it in the way you clear an Inspo for example) so at MOD1 level you will get most from someone who has hundreds of hours on the unit. MOD2 and 3 I think it's less important.

Janos

[Paulo]

Congrats on new purchase!

[Mark Chase]

I love the KISS its one of my favorite CCR

A lot depends on what modifications are already on the unit.

Defo get rid of the standard BOV and replace with a Golum Shrimp

Defo have a Shearwater HUD


Be on the look out for the John Falcone ADV system which is about 1 milion times bettwe than the standard unit.

If it hasent got a stand already. get one as its a very short unit which is uncomfortable on a boat on the bench kitting up

Staert using anti persperant with the domed plastic caps on as they make excelent cernter tube covers when filling with sofna lime

buy a rubber mallett for tamping the sides of the canister when loading up with lime

Dumpy 3s work better for trim than standard 3s

Be very gentle doing up the screws in the cell kidney. Dont strip them

buy a spare brass nut for the draw bolt

Have spare scrims because they tend to get wet

Use sperasorb instead of sofnalime as it improves the WOB

Regularly take the bolts out of the back spine and grease them up with anti xident aluminium grease to prevent them seazing up

Cooper hoses aparently help with the WOB. I liked them a lot as the standard KISS hoses were a bit soft

Use an ali back plate and the ali counterlung case if diving it in a wet suit. For me this ment no lead required.

KISS use a lot of 02 to calibrate them. I used to use the dregs of my old 02 tank to calibrate it with then take that tank off and put a full o2 on. That way id be good for two possably three dives out of a 235 bar fill on a fresh tank.

When you have done the perfict fill, after the dive take the head off and put a scratch mark on the inside of the scrubber can on top of the spider. That way in the future when tapping down with the rubber hammer you can see how far down the spider needs to sit before the head is a perfict fit.

Dont dive diluients that are too low on the PP02 at max depth in the early days. It will take a while to get used to diving a MCCR so a min PP02 at max depth of 1.1 is good to avoid crashing the PP02 down when hitting the adv on a breath.

Dont take the bottom off the scrubber can unless you need to. I never once took it off in three years. If it isnt leaking leave it alone

Get spare alun bolts for the unit as if you have to change a cell on a boat, dropping one and loosing it is very easy to do.

If you have the standard back box, Get thin site gloves for changing the counterlungs as it will save the skinn on your knuckles.

Dont overtighten the rings on the counterlungs. They dont need to be tight and they break easy. Another thing to have a a spare for dive trips.

HTH

ATB

Mark

[Capt Morgan]

Thanks for the info guys.
Lots of good information.
Mark it has a stand and a GG BOV but that's
about all I know. I'm a short arse so thought
the stand may make it to high for me :D
It could be a few weeks before I have it as
I need to get it picked up in London and then
sent to me.

[Ken Hawk]

Get Mark to pick it up Morgan, sounds like he knows a bit about them ;)

[Barrygoss]

I love mine (unit #066)

What PPO2 monitoring does it have, I've done 2 years with the std 3 PPO2 monitors and have just switched to a shearwater, it's an improvement as is more accurately reflects my deco (I used to use an OSTC set to 1.1 bar and run the unit at 1.2).

A HUD is an essential, either the shearwater or the rEvodream (I went dreams as (a) they are cheap and (b) I prefer the way they display PPO2).

There is a midlands mailing list with about 10/12 KISS owners on it, we tend to offer up spares if required amongst us. if you need stuff PM me.

The ADV as stock is awful (if you hold a neg too long it deforms and messes everything up, but then it is only a piece of car innertube.) I've got a shipwreck explorers one on it and its lovely.
I've got the stock BOV (paragon, before the Mares) and have had no problems at all with it. it's a marmite thing.

Get a flow meter, you'll spend a good few dives playing with the IP to match your metabolic rate. that means you won't have to hit the manual add anywhere near as much.

Cooper hoses are good. (plus you look well 'ard)

Get the narked scrubber kit. it'll mean you can split the scrubber off, put a lid on it and save the scrubber for the next weekends diving (always obeying Gordon Hendersons rules)


Any questions you have PM me ( or Andy - unit 183 )

B

(and Mark's tip about marking the height of a perfectly packed scrubber.... absolutely, it's a bitch at 68m on the empire heritage to be told, "jesus your unit is pi33ing bubbles" never overpack the scrubber :) )

Double Edit: did you pick up that one from ebay last night? you got an absolute bargin, the kidneys with 3 cell monitoring on them are £200 each.... it looks in mint condition.

[Capt Morgan]

Thanks Barry, yep it's the one No 290
Just need to get hold of it now. I have
a mate picking it up for me but he's off
to Mexico for a month on Saturday so it
may take a while for me to get it.
Any chance of some links to the strange
things you talk about, shipwreck explorers,
narked scrubber kit, Gordon Hendersons rules ? :(:

I was told it was unit 290 but when I got it the number is 270.

[Mark Chase]

Get Mark to pick it up Morgan, sounds like he knows a bit about them ;)

I could do that as long as its south of the river and before the 28th

ATB

Mark

[Capt Morgan]

Thanks Mark I will send you a PM.

[Barrygoss]

LOL.

Shipwreck explorers did a ADV the was a reg diaphragm rather than a piece of car inner tube, they don't appear to be in business anymore
Narked scrubber kit - Kiss classic (http://www.narkedat90.com/category_s/1871.htm) expect to spend money here :) John's a very nice man and swears at me every time I take my unit to him for a mod.
Gordon's rules Zorg-Alien scrubber theory. - Rebreather World (http://www.rebreatherworld.com/scrubbers-and-absorbents/7884-zorg-alien-scrubber-theory.html) (apologies for the link there, it's on other places) a scrubber is £6. don't ever push those limits.

B

[Barrygoss]

LOL.

Shipwreck explorers did a ADV that was a reg diaphragm rather than a piece of car inner tube, they don't appear to be in business anymore :(
Narked scrubber kit - Kiss classic (http://www.narkedat90.com/category_s/1871.htm) expect to spend money here :) John's a very nice man and swears at me every time I take my unit to him for a mod.
Gordon's rules Zorg-Alien scrubber theory. - Rebreather World (http://www.rebreatherworld.com/scrubbers-and-absorbents/7884-zorg-alien-scrubber-theory.html) (apologies for the link there, it's on other places) a scrubber is £6. don't ever push those limits.

B

[Mark Chase]

I still regret selling it. If Id have known the expidition counterlung case was coming out I would have held on to it.


Note the 1.5ltr Ali suit inflate / lift bag bottle in the stand. Super neet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/MarkChase/CCRTanks.jpg

[Ken Hawk]

And the spending starts lol

[Capt Morgan]

I thought I had a lot of cylinders in my garage but I guess I have
to show SWMBO that photo :D
What make is that stand Mark, it's a neat place to keep the suit
bottle. The stand on the one I'm getting is a Narked @ 90 one and
looks a little to small to fit the bottle on, I think.

[Mark Chase]

I thought I had a lot of cylinders in my garage but I guess I have
to show SWMBO that photo :D
What make is that stand Mark, it's a neat place to keep the suit
bottle. The stand on the one I'm getting is a Narked @ 90 one and
looks a little to small to fit the bottle on, I think.

It was a custom build i am afraid

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/MarkChase/KISS%20MCCR/KISSSSBox.jpg

but i did put a normal suit bottle in my Narked @ 90 stand for the revo so it might fit.



ATB

Mark

[Barrygoss]

Twinsetmad (Andy - now unit 183 on here I think) has his mounted there. I've just been out to the garage and it'll fit if it's a 1.5L ali.

B

[Capt Morgan]

Nice, counter lung case all in one.

[Janos]

(and Mark's tip about marking the height of a perfectly packed scrubber.... absolutely, it's a bitch at 68m on the empire heritage to be told, "jesus your unit is pi33ing bubbles" never overpack the scrubber :)

I had two checks, a line on the scrubber draw in permanent marker, and a piece of plastic (I think I used a cable tie) cut to the right height. So I would pack the scrubber then place the plastic on top of the spider and tap until the top of the plastic was flush with the scrubber top. But when I had a flood it was because the scrubber was out of round. I used a snoopy loop over the joins (top and base) to cover it.

---

I'm a big fan of using the same sofnalime as comes in the inspiration.

The ADV is fine if it works. The real bugger is stripping and replacing it. I did it twice on my unit with no problems, but it took five or six attempts on Chasey's unit in Mexico so about an hour with much swearing!

Definitely worry about SS to aluminium corrosion if comes with an ally CL case.

But if you've saved money on the unit, then definitely do a course. I did mine in the Red Sea as I ended up getting so many hours of in-water time. Plus you're with your instructor for a week so you pick up so much.

Janos

[Kiss183]

The best thing to do would be get yourself up to Stoney one Sunday and get in the mix... with a bit of warning we could get 6/7 Kiss Classics there with every mod under the sun ... lol.. I take it you bought the ebay unit I was watching too.... looked nice.. everything there and 2 spare kidneys/displays... :)

[Ken Hawk]

Could you make that Malin not Stoney.
Morgan doesn't do quarrys ;)

[Capt Morgan]

The best thing to do would be get yourself up to Stoney one Sunday and get in the mix... with a bit of warning we could get 6/7 Kiss Classics there with every mod under the sun ... lol.. I take it you bought the ebay unit I was watching too.... looked nice.. everything there and 2 spare kidneys/displays... :)

The unfortunate thing is I'm the wrong side of the Irish sea :(
Although I have only ever seen one Kiss.
Yea it was the ebay one.


Could you make that Malin not Stoney.
Morgan doesn't do quarrys ;)

Not yet Ken but I have a Mod 1 to do.

[Ken Hawk]

Diving a CCR is bad enough, if you dive a quarry you will definitely end up in my ignore list ;)

[Capt Morgan]

Diving a CCR is bad enough, if you dive a quarry you will definitely end up in my ignore list ;)

That's it then, I'm away to the quarry :middlefinger:

[Paulo]

That's it then, I'm away to the quarry :middlefinger:

Need directions to Portroe?
:D

[Capt Morgan]

Need directions to Portroe?
:D

If I get to Dublin I could follow you :P:

[Mark Chase]

The unfortunate thing is I'm the wrong side of the Irish sea :(
Although I have only ever seen one Kiss.
Yea it was the ebay one.



Not yet Ken but I have a Mod 1 to do.


I did my first ever KISS dive on the Moldavia. I think the Lorentic is about the same depth :D


Thers always Loch Swilly :D

ATB

Mark

[Paulo]

If I get to Dublin I could follow you :P:

Are you even allowed in this jurisdiction?

[Capt Morgan]

I did my first ever KISS dive on the Moldavia. I think the Lorentic is about the same depth :D


Thers always Loch Swilly :D

ATB

Mark

I somehow think my first dive will be slightly shallower :D

[Letz]

Congratulations on your new bundle of fun ;)

[Big Pimp]

Morgan - don't listen to Barry - one minute you're buying his old VR3 and in the same breath he tells you enjoy it, but it won't be long till you get an OSTC and he was right.......

Prepare to pimp your KISS!

Got your Facebook message - I can get you sorted for collection. Will price it tomorrow for you and give you a shout.

And Mark - Morgan is lucky he has a very good mate who is just a little but handy when it comes to welding and fabricating, although no Morgan now turned to the dark side, said mate may not help as he's heartbroken at loosing his OC buddy

[Big Pimp]

And here - best news is you finally have a reason to get rid of the VR3's and Nhe0 thingy! OSTC?!

[Capt Morgan]

And here - best news is you finally have a reason to get rid of the VR3's and Nhe0 thingy! OSTC?!

OSTC can't read the cells, VR3 and Nheo3 can :D

[HeBails]

I'm in London if you need any help with the pickup and I started on a KISS too so know my way round.
Simon TW is also a KISS instructor if you fancy a trip out to Egypt for Mod 1.



Thanks Barry, yep it's the one No 290
Just need to get hold of it now. I have
a mate picking it up for me but he's off
to Mexico for a month on Saturday so it
may take a while for me to get it.
Any chance of some links to the strange
things you talk about, shipwreck explorers,
narked scrubber kit, Gordon Hendersons rules ? :(:

[Capt Morgan]

Big thanks to HeBails for picking that up for me.
Apparently I am the owner of a very nice unit :)
I honestly can't thank Paul enough for doing this
for me, a complete stranger. It says a lot about
this place as a community that I had a few offers
to get it lifted and even more about Paul for going
out of his way, thanks again :)
I just need to get it lifted from Pauls now but I'm
in no hurry and he has kindly offered to keep it for
me to I get things sorted, I hope it's not to long as
I can't to see it now too :sweat:

[Paulo]

Big thanks to HeBails for picking that up for me.
Apparently I am the owner of a very nice unit :)
I honestly can't thank Paul enough for doing this
for me, a complete stranger. It says a lot about
this place as a community that I had a few offers
to get it lifted and even more about Paul for going
out of his way, thanks again :)
I just need to get it lifted from Pauls now but I'm
in no hurry and he has kindly offered to keep it for
me to I get things sorted, I hope it's not to long as
I can't to see it now too :sweat:

I wonder is anyone coming over for a Malin Head trip and could bring it with them? You never know someone might even do it for the promise of a dive on the Crusader

[Paulo]

Big thanks to HeBails for picking that up for me.
Apparently I am the owner of a very nice unit :)
I honestly can't thank Paul enough for doing this
for me, a complete stranger. It says a lot about
this place as a community that I had a few offers
to get it lifted and even more about Paul for going
out of his way, thanks again :)
I just need to get it lifted from Pauls now but I'm
in no hurry and he has kindly offered to keep it for
me to I get things sorted, I hope it's not to long as
I can't to see it now too :sweat:

I wonder is anyone coming over for a Malin Head trip and could bring it with them? You never know someone might even do it for the promise of a dive on the Crusader

[Capt Morgan]

I wonder is anyone coming over for a Malin Head trip and could bring it with them? You never know someone might even do it for the promise of a dive on the Crusader

The Crusader would only put people off.

[Capt Morgan]

Big thanks to HeBails for his help in getting this unit to me.
I got it on Saturday and have spent two days cleaning, prepping
and generally toying with the unit.
Thanks again Paul.

[Barrygoss]

Big thanks to HeBails for his help in getting this unit to me.
I got it on Saturday and have spent two days cleaning, prepping
and generally toying with the unit.
Thanks again Paul.

Woo and indeed hoo,
Welcome to the KISS club,
Now do us a favour and don't die on the unit, it would be embarrassing to us all in front of Kim.

To paraphrase the advice I was given ;), but it still stands :)
B

[oakridge4]

Big thanks to HeBails for his help in getting this unit to me.
I got it on Saturday and have spent two days cleaning, prepping
and generally toying with the unit.
Thanks again Paul.

The toying about with it he was telling me was just slightly short of being obscene I believe it sleeps between him and the wife them Kiss units are home wreckers ;-)

[ebt]

Now do us a favour and don't die on the unit, it would be embarrassing to us all in front of Kim.


I would ask which tosspot said that, but I worry I might know the answer ;)

[Marky Mark]

Can I ask, where it coming from, I'm pretty sure 290 was my buddies unit which he sold to a guy in Sweden (Switzerland??) last year.

[Capt Morgan]

Can I ask, where it coming from, I'm pretty sure 290 was my buddies unit which he sold to a guy in Sweden (Switzerland??) last year.

I was told it was 290 but when it arrived it is 270, I guess the guy didn't look to closely :)

[Marky Mark]

Ahh, that makes more sense. I'm 273.